Chapter 70
Dimensional gates connect to other dimensions somewhere in the universe.
Most dimensions are teeming with magical beasts. But very rarely, they can connect to dimensions with intelligent life forms, just like now.
"I never thought I'd encounter elves. So they really do exist."
Elves with slender bodies, pointed ears, and beautiful appearances.
These elves had placed Choryeon in front of the World Tree and were fervently worshipping her.
"To think a Dragon would visit our village! Even though we still have 1000 years left, I could die happy right now!"
"Damn, it's a Dragon! If we don't worship, we'll die. I must worship."
The elves treated Choryeon like a god, kneeling and offering prayers. Choryeon seemed to secretly enjoy their worship.
At home, she's just a kid who lies around drawing all day. It felt strange to see her receiving such treatment from the elves.
"To me, she just looks like a child. The elves' perception of dragons is quite interesting."
"Hmph, don't you know how amazing dragons are! Dad, you're just too stupid to understand!"
"Hmm, are dragons really that great? I'm not sure."
I gave Hwaryeon a quick pat and approached Choryeon, who was waving at us. The elves looked at us and whispered.
"Look there. The Red Dragon and Blue Dragon are here too. But what's that human in the middle?"
"Wait, aren't you 200 years old? Stop showing your inexperience. Though his aura is similar to a human's, the one in the middle is also a Dragon."
"R-Really? Damn, we have to worship again."
Thud—
About 50 elves prostrated themselves before us. Their worship skills were impressive, it was clearly not their first time.
'This is really uncomfortable.'
This feeling is too embarrassing. Suryeon and I felt slightly ashamed, feeling awkward.
However, Hwaryeon welcomed this atmosphere and confidently shouted.
"That's right, elves! I'm Dragon Lee Hwaryeon! Hurry up and worship me!"
Puff—
Hwaryeon waved at the elves, encouraging worship. But the elves just maintained their prostrate position.
"..."
"..."
They responded with silence and no reaction. Hwaryeon exploded with anger at this response.
"W-What! Why aren't you saying anything to me! This is discrimination! I don't like it!"
"Hwaryeon is a Red Dragon. It seems the elves discriminate against Red Dragons."
Suryeon waved at the elves to set an example. The elves pressed their heads further into the ground and shouted.
"Thank you, Great Dragon!"
"The Blue Dragon greeted us!! Let's all start worshipping!!"
A contrasting reaction to Hwaryeon. Hwaryeon pouted at this discriminatory behavior and turned away haughtily.
"Hmph, I don't like you either! I didn't like you from the start, enough to want to burn everything!"
"Let's not get angry and move on, Hwaryeon. It's a compatibility issue, can't be helped."
"If you make me angry, I'll turn everything into a sea of fire!"
Tremble, tremble—
The elves shook in their prostrate position, terrified of Hwaryeon's ferocity. Feeling sorry for them, I quickly pushed Hwaryeon forward.
"Let's go quickly, Hwaryeon."
"Roaar—!!"
After Hwaryeon's outburst of anger, we passed through the elves' worship path and arrived at the World Tree where Choryeon was.
"Hmm, maybe because it's the World Tree, but the air feels very different."
"It's like being by the sea. It feels refreshing."
Inhale— Exhale—
Suryeon and I breathed in the World Tree's air with satisfaction.
"Hmph, what's so good about it? I don't like it at all!"
Hwaryeon didn't seem to agree. Choryeon, seeing our reactions, said with a satisfied smile.
"Right? The air from the World Tree is amazing! If this World Tree were on Earth, Earth's air would be so much better! At least half of the fine dust would disappear!"
"Even a World Tree can only remove half the fine dust, huh."
"What do you mean only half! It's purifying as much as half!"
"...I see?"
What an incredibly positive mindset. I'm learning something new from Choryeon.
Anyway.
Up close, Choryeon looked the picture of health. In fact, being with the World Tree seemed to have made her even healthier than before.
"Elves! Bring the special health drink right away!"
"Yes, Master!"
Master?
The elves around Choryeon started running off. Soon after, they returned with drinks in coconuts for us.
"Great Dragons, please enjoy."
Clear water was in the coconuts. I seriously asked the elf.
"What's this, elf? We can't feed our kids anything strange. Explain quickly."
"This is sap from the World Tree."
"World Tree sap?"
"Yes, it's a panacea that only comes out once every 100 years, especially good for men-"
Gulp, gulp, gulp—
No further explanation was needed. I quickly downed the World Tree sap.
'It tastes like normal water… But my body feels a bit heated.'
Glance—
I looked at the kids who hadn't drunk yet and asked.
"Kids, if you're not drinking it, can I have it? They say it's good for men."
"...No. I'll drink it."
"I'll drink mine too! But why does it seem like I have less than Suryeon? Is it just my imagination? Or discrimination?"
An elf world rampant with Red Dragon phobia. I said to the elf standing next to me.
"Refill Hwaryeon's drink."
"...Yes."
The elf went to refill the coconut with a sour expression. After some time, I think I generally understand the atmosphere here.
'These guys are just Choryeon's slaves.'
Green Dragon.
It seems the nature-loving Green Dragon is the true king of the elves. That's why the outwardly beautiful and young-looking elves obediently follow Choryeon's words.
I felt a bit envious. But looking at Choryeon being fanned with giant leaf fans by the elves, I said.
"Choryeon."
"Yes, Father!"
"You seem to like it here quite a bit?"
"Yes, this Niflheim is heaven! There are lots of trees, lots of fresh air, and lots of my friends!"
"I'm glad you like it."
"Yes!"
So this dimension is called Niflheim. Choryeon explained to me with a very excited look. But regardless of how much she likes this place,
"Choryeon."
"Yes, Father!"
"It's time we head back home. It's time to go."
We couldn't stay in this dimension forever. Before we became bound to this dimension, we had to return to Earth.
Choryeon, seemingly not wanting to leave, asked me in a small voice.
"Why... Do we have to go back already...? I want to stay longer..."
"We can't stay long. Three days after a trap-type dimensional gate activates, its core disappears. Then, the gate connecting to Earth will close completely."
"Th-Then couldn't we stay here for two days...?!"
Choryeon seems to really like this dimension. Well, it is an environment she can't dislike.
'It would be good for environmental protection, with lots of friends and opportunities for environmental activism.'
Choryeon pointed at an elf fanning her with a giant leaf and said.
"L-Look at this, Father! This dimension doesn't have air conditioners that cause global warming! There are no cars spewing exhaust! There are no reckless buildings destroying nature!"
"There's also no TV, no chicken, and no crayons."
Sure, the environment might be good, but this dimension is too inconvenient compared to Earth.
Hwaryeon and Suryeon agreed with me.
"Dad's right! I don't like it here! There's no meat! Everything burns when I breathe fire! It's annoying to have to be so careful!"
"Choryeon's opinion is stupid. This place has no smartphones, no TV, it's boring. It might be nice now, but living here would just be a waste of time. If you like it so much, why don't you stay in this dimension alone? We'll go back home."
Choryeon can stay here. We'll go.
'...Suryeon spoke quite harshly? Though it's what I wanted to say.'
Suryeon spoke strongly on my behalf. Choryeon pondered the question for a moment, looking back and forth between me and the World Tree.
"The World Tree is nice... and Father is nice too... Um... But... I..."
Slump—
Choryeon hung her head and took off the flower crown on her head. Then, reaching out to me with a regretful tone, she said.
"But I... want to go home... The World Tree is nice, but... I want to go with Father... I can grow a World Tree on Earth..."
"You've thought well, Choryeon."
"Yes..."
Choryeon took my hand, showing a lot of regret.
"Tch."
For some reason, Suryeon clicked her tongue seeing this.
Anyway. The dragon worship is over now.
"We're going home. Take care, everyone."
"Goodbye, everyone... I'll go home with Dad..."
It's really time to go home now.
I decided to embark on a journey to find the dimensional core so we could return home with the children.
However,
"W-Wait a moment, please...!! Great Dragons...!! Please, listen to my words...! Then you can take my life...!!"
Thud—!
Suddenly, an elderly elf with white hair prostrated himself, blocking our way.
'Tsk, I'm weak against old people.'
It was annoying to be delayed, but I decided to listen to what he had to say first.
"What is it now?"
"Please... Even if you leave our dimension... Could you listen to what I have to say...? I, as an elder, will give my life after speaking... Please listen..."
"No, old man. You don't need to give your life. Just tell me what it is first. What's the matter?"
"Before destroying the core... Could you save us elves...?"
The story turned into a request.
"Old man. How old are you?"
"I've forgotten the exact count... But it should be around 600..."
"Indeed, you have considerable experience."
Anyway. I wonder what could be the matter.
The elf elder spoke to me earnestly with an expression of great urgency.
"Our elven village. No, our world. That is, the World Tree is in danger."
"Th-The World Tree is in danger! That can't be!"
Choryeon started resonating with the elder's words. The elder continued with that momentum, pleading on his knees.
"Please, Great Dragons!! Stay with us to protect the World Tree and save us!! We elves will serve you with utmost devotion during that time!!"
Along with the elder's words, beautiful elves approached from the side and started kneeling.
"P-Please!"
"Save us elves! Handsome Dragons!"
After a very long deliberation, I answered.
"Hmm, shall we hear the story first?"
It seemed worth considering positively.
"Hmph, Dad! You're like a male in heat!"
"...Dad?"
"Father... I can't find any good words... I'm sorry..."
Though my daughters don't seem to agree.
For some reason, the glares I received from them felt quite scary.